raising the debt ceiling does not authorize more spending. it simply allows the country to pay for spending that congress has already committed to. these are bills that have already been racked up. and we need to pay them. so while i'm willing to compromise and find common ground over how to reduce our deficit, america can't afford another debate with this congress whether or not they should pay the bills they already racked up. if congressional republicans refuse to pay america's bills on time, social security checks and veterans benefits will be delayed. we might not be able to pay our troops and honor our contracts with small business owners. food inspectors, air traffic controllers, wouldn't get their paychecks. invest ors around the world will ask if america is a safe bet? markets could go haywire, interest rates would spike. every student can a college loan, every small business owner who wants to hire, it would be a self-inflicted wound on the economy. it would slow down our growth, might tip us into a recession. and ironically would p